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How Smart a Home OWNER Are You?

February 7, 2017

Even if you're not into sweat equity, your home and yard need routine maintenance. The pay off? You'll reduce the need for bigger and more expensive repairs over the long run, save money by increasing your home's efficiency, and preserve its value. So how savvy of a caretaker are you? Take our 10 question quiz, which begins to your right.

Quiz | How Smart a Home OWNER Are You?

Question 1 of 10

With summer on the way, which of the following should NOT be at the top of your to-do list:

Quiz | How Smart a Home OWNER Are You?

Question 1 of 10

With summer on the way, which of the following should NOT be at the top of your to-do list:

Insulating your outdoor plumbing from freezing temperature should be a priority in the fall and winter months--not now. But all the other choices should be priorities now. While you're at it, do you need new appliances? The latest models are far more energy-efficient than just a few years ago, and ... Read more ˅

Insulating your outdoor plumbing from freezing temperature should be a priority in the fall and winter months--not now. But all the other choices should be priorities now. While you're at it, do you need new appliances? The latest models are far more energy-efficient than just a few years ago, and you could recoup part of your purchase over the next few years with lower electricity bills. Less ˄

Quiz | How Smart a Home OWNER Are You?

Question 2 of 10

You should change the filters in your heating and air conditioning system...

Quiz | How Smart a Home OWNER Are You?

Question 2 of 10

You should change the filters in your heating and air conditioning system...

Changing your air filters keeps the air cleaner as it circulates through your home. Plus, the system will run more efficiently.

Quiz | How Smart a Home OWNER Are You?

Question 3 of 10

You should get routine servicing on your air conditioning or heating system...

Quiz | How Smart a Home OWNER Are You?

Question 3 of 10

You should get routine servicing on your air conditioning or heating system...

For about $80 to $100, a technician will inspect your furnace, heat pump or AC to be sure the system is clean and in good repair so that it can achieve its manufacturer-rated efficiency. Look for a heating and air-conditioning contractor that belongs to the Air Conditioning Contractors of America, e... Read more ˅

For about $80 to $100, a technician will inspect your furnace, heat pump or AC to be sure the system is clean and in good repair so that it can achieve its manufacturer-rated efficiency. Look for a heating and air-conditioning contractor that belongs to the Air Conditioning Contractors of America, employs technicians certified by the North American Technician Excellence (NATE) program, and follows the protocol for ACCA's national standard for residential maintenance. Less ˄

Quiz | How Smart a Home OWNER Are You?

Question 4 of 10

The average household heating/cooling bill in the U.S. is around $2,000 a year. How much of that energy, on average, is wasted because of inadequate insulation and air-sealing? (Hint: It's a bit more than you might think.)

Quiz | How Smart a Home OWNER Are You?

Question 4 of 10

The average household heating/cooling bill in the U.S. is around $2,000 a year. How much of that energy, on average, is wasted because of inadequate insulation and air-sealing? (Hint: It's a bit more than you might think.)

A home energy audit will identify how you can cut your cost for wasted energy.

Quiz | How Smart a Home OWNER Are You?

Question 5 of 10

How much should you expect to pay for a worthwhile home energy audit, which diagnoses how you could improve your home's energy efficiency and comfort.

Quiz | How Smart a Home OWNER Are You?

Question 5 of 10

How much should you expect to pay for a worthwhile home energy audit, which diagnoses how you could improve your home's energy efficiency and comfort.

The cost will depend on the age, size and design of your home and the city where you live. To find a professional energy auditor, visit www.energystar.gov.

Quiz | How Smart a Home OWNER Are You?

Question 6 of 10

Smart do-it-yourself strategies to cut down on your home energy costs include:

Quiz | How Smart a Home OWNER Are You?

Question 6 of 10

Smart do-it-yourself strategies to cut down on your home energy costs include:

These are just a few of the ways to reduce your energy bill.

Quiz | How Smart a Home OWNER Are You?

Question 7 of 10

In the event of a flood, my homeowner's insurance policy would cover the damage.

Quiz | How Smart a Home OWNER Are You?

Question 7 of 10

In the event of a flood, my homeowner's insurance policy would cover the damage.

This is a common mistake for many homeowners. Most homeowner policies don't cover flooding. You'll need to take out a separate policy to protect against all types of flooding, manmade or natural. For more information on dealing with a home flood and insurance claims, see our story ... Read more ˅

This is a common mistake for many homeowners. Most homeowner policies don't cover flooding. You'll need to take out a separate policy to protect against all types of flooding, manmade or natural. For more information on dealing with a home flood and insurance claims, see our story Insurance Coverage for Summer Storm Damage. Less ˄

Quiz | How Smart a Home OWNER Are You?

Question 8 of 10

Uh-oh. There's a wet spot between the wall and floor. How long will it take for that water penetration to begin to grow mold?

Quiz | How Smart a Home OWNER Are You?

Question 8 of 10

Uh-oh. There's a wet spot between the wall and floor. How long will it take for that water penetration to begin to grow mold?

Mold grows fast, so quick clean-up and drying are vital. Your home is full of food for mold, including wood, carpet, plaster and drywall. The number one way to prevent penetration of water into your home from exterior sources is to have adequate and well-maintained rain guttering and grading away fr... Read more ˅

Mold grows fast, so quick clean-up and drying are vital. Your home is full of food for mold, including wood, carpet, plaster and drywall. The number one way to prevent penetration of water into your home from exterior sources is to have adequate and well-maintained rain guttering and grading away from your home's foundation. Inside, make sure to use ventilation (fans) in your kitchen and bathrooms and dehumidifiers as needed. Less ˄

Quiz | How Smart a Home OWNER Are You?

Question 9 of 10

The largest irrigated crop in the U.S. is:

Quiz | How Smart a Home OWNER Are You?

Question 9 of 10

The largest irrigated crop in the U.S. is:

At 40.5 million acres, lawns are the largest irrigated crop in the U.S. We pamper them with one-third of all the residential water used daily (9 billion gallons); in some regions, it's as much as 50% to 60%. The thirst for water grows with the population and the increasing reliance on automatic irri... Read more ˅

At 40.5 million acres, lawns are the largest irrigated crop in the U.S. We pamper them with one-third of all the residential water used daily (9 billion gallons); in some regions, it's as much as 50% to 60%. The thirst for water grows with the population and the increasing reliance on automatic irrigation -- which is so pervasive that it now produces summer water shortages even in relatively wet regions, such as the Pacific Northwest and New England. Water costs are expected to rise, and in some regions, you may already be paying a premium for high usage. Less ˄

Quiz | How Smart a Home OWNER Are You?

Question 10 of 10

What is xeriscaping?

Quiz | How Smart a Home OWNER Are You?

Question 10 of 10

What is xeriscaping?

Your garden can be any style you like. It can be lush, full and continuously blooming, but filled with hardier perennials that need less water to stay healthy. This strategy not only cuts water usage and expense, but replacement costs for fussy "exotic" plants that die. It's becoming more popular, e... Read more ˅

Your garden can be any style you like. It can be lush, full and continuously blooming, but filled with hardier perennials that need less water to stay healthy. This strategy not only cuts water usage and expense, but replacement costs for fussy "exotic" plants that die. It's becoming more popular, especially in hot, arid climates. Less ˄

Quiz | How Smart a Home OWNER Are You?

Results

answer_num=5,2,3,3,2,4,2,1,4,5|answer_text="E. Insulate your outside faucets and valves","B. Every month, unless you're using high-performance filters. Then it's four times a year.","C. Annually","C. About 30%","B. Anywhere from $300-$600. It typically takes 3-4 hours.","D. All of the above","B. False","A. 48 Hours","D. Lawns and yards","E. All of the above."|total_questions=10|url=/quiz/real-estate/T029-S001-how-smart-a-home-owner-are-you/index.html|total_pages=22|page_id=10478|evaltext_num=0|kipad_id=HomeRemodelingMaintenanceQuizzes